RCVS is delighted to announce that the Edward Jenner Veterinary Leadership Programme is now available following its successful pilot phase, and is now open for registrations.

Inspired by the Vet Futures Initiative, this online leadership programme was developed in conjunction with the NHS Leadership Academy and seeks to support the development of everyday leadership skills of all veterinary professionals

Hosted on the well-established FutureLearn digital education platform, the programme is now accepting registrations for a new cohort of learners to begin the first of two courses on 26 November.

By adopting a range of conventional and innovative teaching techniques, the programme aims to emphasise the importance of leadership by helping to foster the range of skills that underpin it. This includes building confidence around the everyday aspects of leadership, such as:

the active application of decision-making

growing resilience

implementing an inclusive culture, and

encouraging reflective learning approaches

Over 500 learners, representing vet surgeons, vet nurses, students and practice managers, took part in the programme’s pilot this summer and it has received consistently high levels of positive feedback.

Especially popular was its featured audio drama that follows the lives of veterinary staff living in the fictional county of Glenvern. The stories that are told facilitate a reflective learning experience by encouraging participants to consider their responses to a range of situations and challenges that professionals can typically encounter in a veterinary setting.

The programme comprises two free-to-access courses and an optional paid for assessment. The first course, which normally takes four weeks to complete, will start on 26 November. It will, however, still be possible to register to join this cohort until 21 December and learners will have until 7 January to complete the learning materials.